Immunisation Weekly Update:

30 June 2025
Immunisation

Influenza update for health professionals

Influenza is circulating at moderate levels and expected to increase rapidly over the next few weeks. COVID-19 is also circulating at moderate levels and is expected to increase.

NSW Health recently sent out an Influenza Update reminding providers to continue to encourage flu vaccination to everyone, particularly those at most risk, including children 6 months to 5 years old, and those aged 65 years and older.

Offer influenza vaccination to your all patients as they are more likely to get vaccinated with a health provider recommendation.

Register for a free influenza vaccination QI activity

CESPHN can support your practice in undertaking an influenza vaccination Quality Improvement (QI) activity . This QI program uses GoShare to send a personalised SMS to eligible patients who have not had a flu vaccine in 2025 to encourage them to book an appointment.

The flu vaccine recall program is only available to 20 practices in CESPHN, so be sure to register your interest promptly!

Contact immunisation@cesphn.com.au for more information

HPV coverage rates continue to drop

The uptake rate of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is at its worst in almost a decade, according to the most recent data.

Coverage of at least one dose of HPV vaccine by the 15^th birthday has continued to decrease since onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The greatest declines were seen between 2023 and 2024, with coverage dropping to 81.1% in girls and 77.9% in boys. To achieve its cervical cancer elimination target, Australia needs to improve coverage rates to at least 90% by 2030.

The vaccine is delivered in schools, and the drop in coverage can in part be attributed to lower attendance rates post-pandemic. However, GPs and pharmacists can provide free catch-up HPV vaccination for anyone aged under 26 years old who did not receive the vaccine through a school program.

Implement a HPV vaccination recall QI activity at your practice

CESPHN can support your practice in implementing a HPV vaccination recall for adolescents aged 15-25 using the AIR010A report. This will generate a list of patients at your practice who are overdue for HPV vaccination, allowing you to contact them to offer free catch-up HPV vaccinations funded through the NIP.

Contact immunisation@cesphn.com.au for support.

New measles alert for Sydney

NSW Health is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a confirmed case who was infectious while visiting several locations in Sydney.

The case recently returned from Vietnam, where there is an ongoing large outbreak of measles.

People who attended the following locations should watch for the development of symptoms.

Sunday 22 June 12:00-13:00: Sir Reuben, 702 Darling St, Rozelle

Saturday 28 June 22:35-03:10: Concord Hospital Emergency Department

Symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body.

It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it is important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms up until 18 July.

TGA safety update: administration of RSV immunisation products

In response to reports about administration errors related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prevention products, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has published a safety update. The update includes information on:

Each RSV prevention product and the evidence behind it
Reports to the TGA about administration errors, including the number of errors and any associated adverse events
How health professionals can avoid errors
What to do if an error occurs

The RSV maternal vaccination kit is another valuable source of resources to help raise awareness about the risks of RSV in young children and the benefits of vaccination during pregnancy.

Register to contribute to FluTracking

FluTracking is an online health surveillance system used to detect the potential spread of respiratory illnesses like influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. It is a weekly online survey that takes less than 30 seconds to complete, and helps to provide real-time data on respiratory illness in your area to inform public health responses across Australia. The program is funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

If you are interested in contributing, find out more and register as a volunteer Flu Tracker here.

New resources: vaccination for people with immunocompromise

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has released a new resource addressing frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding vaccination for people who are immunocompromised.

NCIRS has also released recordings from their latest webinar ‘Navigating vaccination for immunocompromised patients: new Handbook guidance’, which can be accessed here.

Source: NCIRS Weekly Jab newsletter 27 June 2025. Subscribe here: ncirs.org.au/user/register

New RACF vaccination toolkit tackles suboptimal vaccination rates

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released a toolkit aimed at encouraging vaccination among older adults who are aged care residents.

Designed to support aged care providers, the toolkit includes vaccine recommendations as well as a comprehensive discussion guide for use in conversations with residents, their families and carers, about the benefits of vaccination

NCIRS also recently released a new resource highlighting the enormous benefits of COVID-19 booster vaccination for older people, based on new research showing older adults who have had a recent booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine have almost half the risk of dying from the acute respiratory infection compared with those who received their last booster over a year ago. 